The Sun. — London, England, 1864-03-26 00:00:00

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1864. Speculations are becoming more lively in regard to the probabilities as to who may be the American President. MANHATTAN, a tolerably keen observer, writing from New York, under date the 11th inst., is firmly of opinion that Mr. LINCOLN will be re-elected. " The chances are," he says, " 99 in 100 that Mr. LINCOLN will be nominated. The chances are 66 in 100 that he will be elected President." Mr. BENNETT, of the Nem York Herald, seemingly, thinks quite otherwise. He looks, as others look no less confidently than he does, for no regularly elected President of any kind as the future head of the Federal Government. He looks not for the election of CHASE—not for the election of FREMONT —not for the re-election of LINCOLN : but—in lieu of any comparatively commonplace proceeding of that kind—for the seiz ere of supreme power by some great military adventurer, another C,ESAR, another OLIVER CROMWELL, an other NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. In this expecta tion it may be said that General GRANT, not old SCOTT, nor yet young M'CLELLAN, bpt General GRANT, now at Washington, is the man of men, the hero of anticipation. Referring to the fact of his arrival in the Northern capital, Mr. BENNETT writes rather grandiosely thus :—" He comes to Washington in the greatest crisis of the country's history, and he has to measure strength with those who lead the political factions—the men who ruined the plans of his predecessors. He is to be ruled or to rule—there is no line between. If he is swayed as SC Tr was or as M'CLELLAN Was he will bo but another hero lost." The Yankee publicist thereupon adding, in regard to GR ANT —" His position is, indeed, a grander and more significant one, than any ever oc2up!el by SCOTT or M'CLELLAN. He comes from great victories to a national capital torn by opp , slng interests, as CE3AR marched towards the Rubicon, as NAPOLEON went to Paris after the Egyptian enpedition, and as Caom- WELL went to London before the dissolution of the parliament." Whereupon MANHATTAN, like a wicked rogue as Ile ja, cannot possibly resist the ioducernent here presented to him for poking a little good-humoured fun at the hero of Mr. BENNETT'S lively imagination. Looking to General GRANT'S past history, and thereby speculating as to his future career, the merry wag observes He got his present position by being a candidate for the Presi dency at Chicago in 1 860 , and then going over to LINCOLN, Now," aciflS MANHATTAN, ,‘ if he crm come home and control the Massachusetts delega tion to Baltimore, an d play the same game over again, he will very likely become a field-Daaribiti, unless GRANT should seize the crown,, and proclaim himself Emperor—Emperor ULYss ES 1., or, per haps, ULYSSES 11., and then •'e should not laugh at the old Greek chap No. I." But —immediately afterwards—he says (apparently with twinkling eyes but the gravest face in the world) " No, the country would never permit a man with such a second-hand name to mount the throne or wear a purple cloak. No man could become Em peror here with the name of Romunus, or C.TSAR, or POMPEY. There is too much niggnr about it. The majority of our people don't know Greek and history ; and the only Ulysses, and Pempeys, and Scmebodys are their own negroes. General GRANT would have to take a new name. He might," su g geSt9 MANHATTAN, in this little difficulty very kindly "take the name of the town where he resides —MEMPHIS I." In the meantime the period for the Presidential election is drawing on apace, and Mr. LINCOLN seems, in truth, to be playing his cards even now pretty deftly. He is certainly as things go, in one sense, master of the situation. He has the advantage over other competitors of that "possession" which, according to a familiar axiom, here amongst us, is equivalent to nine out of the ten points of law in anyone's favour. It is true that those nine points were not enough as it happened, for even a Military Dictator like General CAVAIGNAC. Bat then the chief of the State in the Federal Republic has no such competi tor as CAVAIGNAC had opposed to him—a competitor endowed with a name, a prestige, a glory beyond the reach of all competition. It had been the notion years previously of the royalist CHATEAII3RIAND, that a little three-cornered cocked hat, a pair ofjack boots, and a grey overcoat, raised upon a pole in any corner of France, would be an incident sufficient of itself to excite an insurrection. When the candi dature for the Presidentship of the present occupant of the throne of France was first bruited about in the late autumn and early winter of 1848, it was as nearly as could be so, precisely equivalent to that display of the jack-boots, the cocked hat, and the grey redingote ! So little was the capacity for Government of the Prince Louis NAPOLEON sur mised at that time that his elevation was then due solely and entirely to his name—to the name of his uncle, the Great NAPOLEON. The American President, we may then with some show of reason repeat, has not one such rival reputation to con front him in the candidature. The reputations of the rival candidates for the Presidency in point of fact are, in one of the homeliest of our idioms, much of a muchness ! And, being so, the actual occupant of the presidential chair at Washington has in the simple fact of such occupancy, a "haul" over all competitors. He is thereby enabled to look down upon them as from a "coign of 'vantage." Bat under any circumstance, we should conjecture, without much sense of exultation in so doing—the panoramic scene around him being one (visibly so even from this side of the Atlantic) of such dire and ghastly, and all but hopeless confusion; The investigation before the Coroner of Sheffield as to the cause of the bursting of the embankment of the Bradfield Reservoir has concluded. The jury, after a patient investigation, have returned a verdict which, we think, will meet with general approval. They find that "Thomas Ellstene came to his death by drowning in the inundation caused by the burst ing of the Bradfield Reservoir on the 12th inst. ; that, in their opinion, there has not been that engi neering skill, and that attention to the construction of the works which their magnitude and importance demanded; that, in their opinion, the Legislature ought to take such action as will result in a Govern mental inspection of all works of this character, and that such inspection ought to be frequent, regular, and sufficient." After a careful perusal of the evi dence we entirely concur with this. No charge of criminal neglect is imputed to anybody, and great labour and money were expended in the construction of the dam ; but it is clear that it possessed some fatal element of weakness which ought to have been guarded against, and there is no doubt measures will be at once taken to prevent the recurrence of a similar disaster. From the evidence of Mr. LEATHER, who is the consulting engineer of the Sheffield Waterworks Company, it appears that as far back as 1858 he prepared plans and specifica tions for the construction of the reservoir, and that after some delay the embankment across the valley was commenced. It is 418 yards long, and consi derable pains was taken to secure a water-tight foundation for the clay "puddle" which forms, as it were, the backbone of the embankment. It was originally proposed in the specifications to carry down this puddle some 10 feet into the ground, but it was found necessary to sink to a depth of 60 feet More a water-tight foundation could be secured. The embankment is 600 feet wide at the base, and 12 feet at top. The inner slop© is 2 to 1, and the outer slop© in the same. The greateet height is 10 feet wide at the top, and gets wider by an inch and a half at every foot in depth. Thus, supposing the puddle-wall is 95 feet high, it will be 16 feet wide at the base. There is 60 feet of puddle below the surface, making the total depth of the puddle-wall 155 feet. The reservoir would contain a little _over 111,000,000 entire feet of water. The surface area of water was about seven acres, the area gathering ground is about 48,000 acres." Up to this point all the wit nesses examined agreed that the work was pro perly constructed in the main, and the few objec tions taken were not of a serious character ; but the weak point of the construction lay in the fact that two outlet pipes pass under the embankment; they are about 500 feet long, made up of lengths of 9 feet. There would be 55 or 56 lengths. They are joined with sockets and lead in the ordinary way. They are laid in a trench nine feet below the surface of the ground. They are wrapped round with clay paddle to the thickness of 18 inches, the trench being then filled in. It is to the giving way of these pipes that the bursting of the reservoir is attributed, as being either the direct or indirect cause. As yet, it cannot be ascertained how far this view of the subject is correct; but it is certain that these pipes were so built into the embankment as to be always a source of danger. The fact of their being buried beneath the embankment, in such a way as to be inaccessible for examination or repairs was a mistake, and again, as if with a v i ew to enhance the danger, the valves were placed outside the embankment,thus rendering it impossible to cut off the water in case it was found that the, water was escaping in the midst of the mour,d, which could be easily done were the valves pieced within the reservoir, so that the pressure on the pipes would be at once relieved. The evidence of .7,1 r. RAIVLINSON, the Government engineer, upon this point is deserving of special attention. Throughout the entire investigation he has been most particular to avoid imputing any unnecessary blame to any individual, but he observes that they are met to discover, if possible, the reason of the accident, and must, therefore, examine into all possible causes. He says :—" I think no waterworks embankment ought to have pipes laid through it Co se to pre vent repair or renewal when necessary. The engi neer should be master of his work; not let it be toaster of him, I know of mane- inatanees of failnre where pipes and culverts have been laid through the main embankment. A defective pipe to this embankment may hvt Worked the destruction we have witnessed, and no human ingenuity could prevent it under the circumstances in which these pipes exist. I did not say that it did do so; I wish that to be clearly understood. That, therefore, is not a legitimate way in which to lay pipes for the making of a reservoir." Now this is a simple, comprehensible statement, and he goes on further to state he has found a tunnel through the solid stratification on one side of the valley, and that the tunnel is constructed in the best possible manner, and that within this tunnel the outlet pipes are ultimately laid—provision being made for closing the pipes inside the reservoir. He then entered upon a clear statement of his views and reasons for deeming the way of laying the pipes to be defec tive. That point will shortly be cleared up, for the Waterworks Company have consented to be guided by Mr. RAWLINSON'S advice as to the propriety of uncovering the pipes to settle this question. But there can be no doubt as to the advisability of having all reservoirs so constructed that the out fall pipes can be examined, and the proper means taken to relieve the embankment promptly from pressure, in both of which very important require ments the Bradfield construction was shamefully wanting. We do not desire to hold Mr. LEATHER responsible for the failure of an embankment the principle of whose construction was not new, nor his own conception; but while giving him credit for bestowing all reasonable attention to the construc tion of the work, we must say that he did not take the necessary precautions to avoid as far as pos sible the risk of an accident. On the other hand, we do not think that the Coroner acted towards him and the other representatives of the company with the fairness and the consideration which are incumbent on one in so responsible a position as his. It is unquestionably the duty of a Coroner to elicit as far as possible any evidence which can be afforded by any witness, and to caution or censure him if it be obvious that he is concealing facts. But Mr. LEATHER'S conduct throughout the inquiry was straightforward and outspoken ; he could hardly be expected to come forward and condemn his own handiwork. It was enough for him to express his regret at its failure, and to admit that he had mis calculated and acted on false premises, without ex pecting him to declare that from the first he knew that they must miscarry. Because he did not do this or something very like it, the Coroner made allusions to him which called forth a well-merited rebuke from one.of the jury. That the recommen dation of the jury that Government inspectors be appointed to examine reservoirs will be carried out there can be no doubt. But the sooner the public can be satisfied that all existing reservoirs are in an effective condition, and that those in the course of construction are being properly built, the sooner the sacrificed three hundred will have achieved their destiny. Amid the recriminations and dissensions that fill the world of politics, and the constant reiteration of irritating topics, without much apparent good resulting from their discussion, it is refreshing to turn for awhile into a gayer and more varied scene, and to breathe the less tumultuous atmosphere of the great world of art. The actor's art may not, it is true, be ranked with the great efforts of creative genius, although a gifted poet has assigned to it the merit and the charm of combining the rival fascinations of sculpture, painting, and poetry. Still there are points in which the dramatic artist, though himself one of the kings of mind, may more powerfully engage the sympathies of his fellows than the composer, the sculptor, or the poet. He is more one of ourselves, breathing the common air, mixing more on a level with the worldly wise and worldly foolish. The sorrows he has played his part in have not all been surface deep ; his cares, his anxieties, his responsibilities have nut all been laid aside with his stage attire; his errors, his dis appointments, the tragedies of his existence have not all ended as he stepped off the boards. His very profession, gay and animating as it appears to the looker-on, full of the most fascinating exeite meat, is in reality a toilsome and arduous routine, demanding unwearied strength, unflagging energy, unceasing application. And although the actor's triumphs are said to be the brightest, the most com plete, and the most intoxicating of any successes, yet not only are they the briefest, but the most uncertain. A popular whim, a new favourite, an unlucky piece may render fruitless the exertions of many weary hours. A profession whose success is entirely dependent on personal exertion, and whose rewards are fluctuating in their nature, is in its very nature trying and depressing, leaving little room for the natural infirmities of mankind, making little allowance for those inter vals of mental inaptitude which must sometimes come to the best and brightest, We have all heard the story of the wonderfully funny comedian ss - no was recommended to sea himself as a cure for low spirits, and the actor's career is especially open to similar contradictions. But with the advancing wisdom of the age, and the development of that noble independence which makes the authors and artists and musicians of our day rely on no patrons save themselves and the public, the afflicted or un fortunate actor is no longer left to destitution and. despair should his efforts fail to provide for the dark days. Institutions and societies properly organised and sufficiently supported, not alone by the friends of the drama, but by the open hand and realy generosity of actors themselves, are now in flourish ing existence, succouring the decayed or impo verished actor, assisting the sick, burying the dead, relieving the widow, educating and providing for the orphan. The, claims of such a society upon the public at large were seldom more eloquently en forced than on Thursday evening, when the nineteenth anniversary festival of the General Theatrical Fund was celebrated under the presi dency of Mr. SHIRLEY BROOKS. The address of this gentleman, no less remarkable for its truth than for its wit and humour, affords a convincing answer to the cavils of tho censorious and the doubts of tlse rigid. As special pleader on behalf of the theatrical profession, the chairman announced his intention of calling witnesses ; and, passing over a good many celebrities who might have supported his case, he summoned WILLIAM SHAKSPERE, " twice of Stratford-on-Avon, sometime of London, now of all time." Such evidence as this in support of the claims of the theatre upon our grateful re cognition was, of course, unanswerable, Had there been no theatre, no drama, said Mr. BROOKS, "you would have had no SHAKSPERE. Ido not say what you might not have had, for that genius must have broken forth in some way. Admiral SHAKSPERE might have destroyed the Armada ; Lord Chanc A , .' lOr SHAKSPERE might have written the - s - ovum Organum ; Sir WALTER SHAKSPERE r4 , lght have made Europe happy with tobacco, kat you would not have had that volume—that wonder of whi c h no one could speak wortkiiy but himself —the volume which, huma n ly spea ki ng, is our treasure of wisdom, o f conso l at i on, of art, of fancy, of poetry, which furnishes sarcasm far the senate, war-cries for the soldier, vows to the lover, themes for the moralisi., inspi ra ti ons f or the poet, images for the painter, divinity for th e p r i es t, an d songs for the s uch, afford s a beope for the display of chi" " The drama, iv, aft er all, Liman life, and, a s poetry, of passion, of feeling, which any more et h erea l art can only represent abstractedly: Cowin to the dis. BONNET'S SILKS A LYON. —Every Article of commerce takes its title either from the inventor or manufacturer, and the more perfect the production the greater is the credit which attaches to the originator. BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica tion in England ; but the fallacy of such an asseribited tion is ex pose d by the very trade mark of the firm, as exh by Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street. The following interwoven mark may be seen at the end ofeach piece Manutacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., a Lyon e t a Injurieux." Wear guaranteed. THEATRE ROYAL DRUR Y-L AN E. 3lanagers, Messrs. Edmon d Falconer and ' F. B. Chatterton. On EASTER-310"IsTDAY will be produced a Grand Stage Revival of Shalc,pere's Chrc.nicle or Historical Play, entitled the First Part of HENRY THE FOURTH. No pains or Frpense will be spared to render this oresen tation of our Nattonsl Author's most popular, and it may be said, most representative English Drama, a tocsin ng Cons ens noratfmr, in example, at the National. Theatre, of the grandeur and comorehensive char,,Cer of his genius. Tie cast will include impersonations by those eminent Artists, Mr. PHELPS, Mr. Walter Montgomery, Mr. Walter Lacy. M-. Addis° ~ Mr. Ryder, Mr. Robert Roxby. Mr. Barrett, Mr. E. Phelps, Mr. Rayner, Mr. H. Vandenhoff, Mr. s. Belmore, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. Fitzjame3, Mr. Neville ; Miss Edith Wynne, M ss R , se Leclercq, -nd Mrs. Edmund Fal coner, supported by all the Members of the Drury-lade Ccm patsy. The new and characteristic see fiery will be entirely de • signed and painted by Mr. William Beverley. The costumes, armour, fin, wil be fashioned from designs by R. W. Keent, Esq , taken from illustrated MSS. of she period, and other author ties. Preceded by a Transatlantic Extravag!nzi. by T. M. Morton, Esq., entitled TILE AL XBANIA , in which Mr. (I. Belmore and Miss Lydia Thompson will appear. THEATRE ROYAL HAY NI ARKET.- Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone. MONDAY next, March 28, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN: Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone, Chippendale, Rogers, Clark, Gordon, Braid, &c. ; Mesdames Angel, Lindley, Hill, Hank Snowden, &c After which, the new Easter piece, entitled VENUS AND ADONIS. Messrs. Compton, Wm. l'arren, Coe. &c. ; 3les (James Louise Keeley, Snowden, Nelly Power, Hill, Wright, Rogers, &c. Commence at 7. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.... Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. 'Vining. On EASTER MONDAY, THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. The Two Dromios, by the Brothers Webb. After which, PAUL'S RETURN. To conclude with, first time, a new Farce, by J. M. Morton, Esq., entitled DRAWING-ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, AND AT ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter. On EASTER MONDAY, the performance will commence with THE DAY AFTER THE FAIR: Messrs. Width combe, Garden, Moreland, and Miss E. Lavenu. Aster which, at Eight o'clock, the 117th Night of EEL DEMONIO, a Love Story, in Twelve Tableaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian Chronicle ." Principal character by Mr. Fechter. Messrs. Jordan, Charles, J. Brow,Y,hsm, Emery, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford, Collett. Sims ; Mias Kate Terry, Miss E. Lavenu, Mrs. Lee, 51iss Elsworthy. The Public are entreated to take notice that No Charge is made to the occupaflts of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either for play bills or for the safe keeping of hats and cloaks, and taat the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to receive any gratuities whatever. Box-oface open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7. R OYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE, under the Management of 31. r. B. WEBSTER. _ _ Nightly filled with Rank and Fashion.---rhe lfir,vlily popu lar new Ccmedy of The Silver Lining every Evening until further notice.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Stir ling, Mrs. Frank Matthews, &c. The following eminent artistes are enraged to appear :—Mr. Benjamin Webster, Mr. and 31r. Charles Mathews, Mr. J. L. Toole, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mrs. Stirling, Miss Herbert, Mr. Paul Bedford, Mrs. Howard Paul, Miss A. Cottrell, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Patti Josephs, Miss Wentworth, &c. This Evening, at 7, UNDP:R THE ROSE : Mr. Ashley; Miss A. Cottrell, Miss Patti Josephs (her second appearance this season). At a quarter before 8, the successful new Comedy, by L. Buckingham, Esq., entitled TUE SILVER LINING: 31r. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Stirling, Miss A. Cot trell, Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Montague. At 10. Mr. Charles Mathews, jun translated from the French, in his characteristic character of UnArglais Timid°, called COOL AS A CUCUMBER. On EASTER MONDAY, first time at this Theatre, the popular c as ica' Extravaganza, by J. B. Manche, of the GOLDEN FLEECE. Characters by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mr. J. Clarke, and Miss A. Cuttrer. Commence at 7. NT FM THE ATRE-RO ir AL, ADELPIII.- 1 Sole Proprietor and Manager. Mr. B. Webster. THIS EVENING. Unrch26, THE DEAD HEA.W.T. Robert Landry, Mr. Benj.Webs ter, supported by Messrs. A. Stirlinz, Stuart. Bitting - Jon, J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Miss Woolgar, IC. Kelly, ,tc. To eluelude with THE AREA BELLE : Messrs. J. L. Too:e, F. Bedford, R. Romer, Miss woolgar, and Mrs. H. Lewis. Commence at 7. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborouf:h. On EASTER MONDAY, a new Comedietta, A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEU3 AND EURYDICE : Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton, Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, So. Commence at 7. S HE TI-HRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containing - the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE, asa be had Every Evening of G. R. GL MilE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Ilyde-park. COALS.—The LILLES HAL L COMPANY'S COALS. Direct from their own Collieries. Marquis'. • .....263. per tn. Double.. 21s. per ton. Top 253. „ Nut 5........ l9s. „ Deep .225. „ Well screened and deliveml within five miles of their De pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and 17, south Wharf, Faddington, W. Best Cole 15s per chaldron. Terms cash. JOHN SCOTT, Sole Arzent. The Weather--Sun Office, March 26, 1864, THERMOMETER, This day at Two o'clock Barometer-29.52. Wind—North; light breeze. HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE. THlC:D.4.7.—Morning, 311. 52m.—Afternoon, 4h. Sm. lo.ifoßnow.-Morning, 4h. 23m.—Afternoon. 4h. 40m. ttt, ‘`v&'' s tVvii.4"‘ SUIT, , THE SITN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 26, 1864, puted question of the morality of theatres, Mr. BROOKS quoted a vigorous passage from a clerical writer in support of it, as teaching the broad truths of virtue and vice in the most impressive manner, wakening a universal sympathy in the hearts of old and young, rich and poor, wise and foolish. Of course, to attain great and good ends, to teach striking morals, it is a necessary condition that the play must be not only good but true to nature, the actors not only able but lifelike. Poor imitations from the French, stilted adaptations of other foreign pieces, cold, commonplace representations of extra vagant romance, will not make the touch of nature that makes the whole world kia, but such dramatic blunders no more interfere with the morality of the stage than the worthless publications everyday issued from the press demoralise the invention of printing. Foremost in every good work of the kind we may expect the name of Mr. BTICKSTONE, who has himself known what it is to be poor and friend less, but who has long since worked his way valiantly up the 11111 Difficulty, and is now as author, actor, and manager, wearing his triple laurels. Palnzane qui nzeruit ferat is not always the motto in the dramatic profession more than in any other, but in this case happily fame and suc cess have smiled on genuine merit, and now the soldier of fortune, who has risen to the rank of general in the regular army, is always ready to come to the rescue, not only of the exhausted victor but of the disabled soldier who has fallen in the fray. The practical results of the general Theatrical. Fund were briefly summed up by Mr. BUCKSTONE. During the past year they have paid to annuitants the sum of £9OO in amounts varying from £3O to £9O per annum, and about £5O have been given or returned to members claiming such payments. There are now 21 annuitants, of whom 15 are ladies and five gentlemen. More candidates are on the list, so that, notwithstanding a fair amount of in vested capital, there is plenty of room for help both from the regular subscribers and from the general public. That such help will be forthcoming freely and promptly, we can hardly doubt, consider ing how much the profession have done and are doing for themselves; considering, too, that we are in a manner bound to provide for the relief or the solace of age and infirmity in those who have spent their best days in contributing to our amusement. Else we may be troubled during our evening's re creation with an uneasy suspicion that, like the gay, fashionable company in " Belphegor," we are giving our sympathy to the fictitious characters before us, while the life of same minor actor on the stage, if faithfully represented, might, in its pathetic hopelessness, in its mournful reality, throw the finest efforts of dramatic art into the shade. The Protector Eridowment, Loan, and Annuity Company, The ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of this company was held on. Thursday afternoon, at the offices, 34, King-street, Cheap4ide, Alfred Smee, Esq„ presided. The routine business having been transacted, a very successful annual report was read by the managing director (J. Beadnell, Esq.), which en tered in detail into the operations of the society for the year just closed. The CLIAIBMAN said he had great pleasure in moving the adoption of the highly favourable re port just now read. Although the document car ried with it its own recommendations, he felt it necessary to make a few remarks for the benefit of those unacquainted with the operations of the Protector. The society, on the one hand, received money on deposit at interest, and loaned it out at a cheap rate, on the other ; but on terms more advantageous than those of bankers and more favourable than finance companies. Loans obtained from a banker must be paid on the day the amount became due, whilst in the Protector the rer;,ey men t of the loans was spread ov er on e , t wo , thr four, and and, in some cases, five years, and t en made in half yearly or quarterly instalment'le The great value of a loan, on such terms to me „ y, wes strikingly appa• rent, because it could either be devoted to the cam the education of a son , or rnencement of bue, meee, used to meet a temporary embarrassment. The society, as . 4 ma tt e r of course, had to secure itself much hspossible agai ns t any loss, and, tha ee e en , , assurance was ad o pt e d to prov i de against the contingency of life, and substantial ferencra were required, in order to ensure the re payments, where the sums advanced were far short periods of free. I\lany parents had been enabled, through the instrumentality of the society, to place their child in a good pesition, and many had also secured their just rights, which they would have had to abandon, had it not been for the faci- Utica the directors . o ff ere d to those in need of temporary assistance. The losses duri ng the past year had been extremely small, (hear, he de ._. during the and the exertions that had been m a d e same period to extend their business had been crowned with the utmost success. They had formed agencies in different parts of the country, and already the beneficial effects of such an arrange ment were clearly a p paren t. Their succes s , i n h i s opinion, was to b e ma i n ly attributable to th e busi ness-way in which th e i r o perations were cond ucted. A person had oaly t o t h row down his guinea on th e i r oounter with his proposal, and immediately the re ferences were inqui re d into, and if found satisf ac t ory the enoney w as at once a dvanced. A p ropos i t i on would be laid before the meeting, which was calcu lated largely to extend their business, and therefore he had no doubt it would meet with the hearty ap proval of the shareholders. The arrangement would place a large amount of capital at their command, and all th a t was necessa ry was to use it w i th the same prud e n ce th at had hitherto mark e d t h e i r operations, to make it highly remunerative t o t h e shareholders. Mr HARRISON seconded the resolution for the adoption of the report, remarking that the success of their operations in the year just closed must be gratifying to every person present. The report was adopted unanimously, Theretiringseconded directors, Solly, EEg b . i were , on the motion of M r . T y l er, yAi r v . Bevan, unanimously re-elected. l. Alfred Smee, Esq., and E. The elect;on of Mr. Joseph William s to a seat at the board by the directors was next confirmed. The retiring auditors having bean re-elected, Mr. GEORGE TYLER. moved a resolution to the effect that the dividend on the share -stock be the same as last year, viz., 5 per cent. This resolution wa s also carried unanimously. The meeting was then made special for the con sideration of certain arrangements then pending between the Protector and one of the largest life insurance companies in London. The proposals met with the hearty approval of the meeting, and, after a cordial vote of thanks had been awarded to the directors and the manager, the proceedings termi nated. The annual r,lhange of quarters of the Household Brigade of Cavalry take place on the first Wednesday in the en suinS month as follows :-Ist Life Guards, from Albany- St:cet Barracks to Hyde Park Barracks; 2d Life Guards, from Hyde Park Barracks to Windsor; and the Royal Horse Guards, from Windsor to Albany-street Barracks, A Board of officers, composed of Col. Guy, C. 8., Col. ]reeling, R. 8., and Dr. Frazer, Deputy Inspector- General of Hospitals, has assembled at the officers' mess room of the new cavalry barracks at Colchester, to examine and report to the 'War-office as to the fitness of buildings for occupation. Colonel Lays, 9th Depot Battalion, has assumed the command of the troops stationed at Harwich and Languard Fort. Staff-Burg, Mure has been appointed to succeed Dr. Frazer as principal medical officer at Col chester camp. TUE BATTLE Or GETTYSBURG.--At Gettysburg 28,000 muskets were taken. Of these, 24,000 were found to be loaded, 12,000 containing two loads, and 8,000 from three to ten !oohs each, 1t many instauces half a dozen bails were o.rvm in on a single charge of Powder. In some oases the former possessor had reversed the usual order, placing the ball at the bottom of the barrel am', thQ powder top ,--4nerecon rraper, LATEST INTELLIGENCE. LRETJTER'S TELEGRAMS.] THE NORWEGIAN STORTHING, CHRISTIANIA, MARCH 25. The committee appointed by the Storthing to examiae the Government bills, and to report thereon, has unanimously recommended that assem bly to accept the proposals relative to war arma ments in favour of Denmark. FORMATION OF A RUSSIAN CAMP IN FINLAND. BERLIN, MAitcu 26, Advices from St. Petersburg to the 24th inst. state that a camp is to be established in Finland during the ensuing summer. It is to be formed by native and 30,000 Russian troops. DEAEH OF ADMIRAL PENAUD, TOULON, MARCH 26. Admiral Penaud died yesterday of acute inflam , mation of the liver, • FRANCE. BOURSE, March 26.—The market has been with out animation, but prices have not undergone any very material alteration. Threes, for the Account, are now at 66f. Mobilier have slightly receded, If. 75c. Railway Market as follows : Italian Loan 67 80 Do. end month 67 80 New ditto — Do. end month - Russian Austrian Spanieh Threes — Home Debt Deferred and are quoted at 1,048 dull. The market closed 41 per Cents .. 93 Do, end month.... 3 per Cents Do. end month (36 05 Credit Mobilier 1050 Do. end month lO5O Bank Shares 3300 Credit Fancier I2SO Roman .. RAILWAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans lOO5 .. 1002 60 Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 950 .. 953 75 New ditto Southern Western Eastern Sardinian Austrian Lombard North of Spain Saragossa 682 50 .. 585 Ditto to Barcelona THE SIEGES OF FREDERIOIA. AND DYBBOL. The following report has been published by the Danish Minister of War ; " According to a report from the Commander of Fredericia, dated March 19, 3 p.m., yesterday and the day before the enemy sent out skirmishers sup ported by small columns of infantry, a few guns, aid cavalry. A skirmishing fire ensued, supported by the artillery of the fortress. The enemy ad vanced as far as the Tailerie to the wood of Fugel sang and Stronstrup ; from thence, crossing the fields, they advanced towards the Treide Wood. The combat still continued when the report left. Oar less is Lieutenant Christensen killed, and nine men wounded. " MARCH 19, 8.45 P.m. "After 3 p.m. the firing ceased, but was renewed upon our troops attempting to resume their former outpost positions, in which they succeeded. " MARCH 20. "According to a report from the General com manding at Sonderborg, his aide-de-camp and Cap tain Eydenfeld were killed by the bursting of an enemy's shell. Nothing else of particular import ance has occurred. Since the 17th the number of men missing amounts to 300, of which it is believed the greater part are prisoners. Our total loss amounts to 650 men, of which -12 are officers. " MARCH 20, 12 15 p.m. " The Commander•in-Chief, under this day's date, at 10,50, announces that nothing remarkable has take❑ place before Dybbol, When this telegram was despatched, the enemy had re-opened his fire against the south side of the front of the position. "The Commander of Fredericia reports, at 11.25 a.m., that at 5.30 this morning the' enemy com menced bomber ling the town from various points, and that the bombardment. continues. "9. p.m. "A report from Frederic's, dated 7.45 p.m., an nounces that the bombardment has set fire to the town in various placer, "11 P.M. "Daring the whole of the day the enemy has kept up a hea7y fire against the loft wing of the Dybbol position ; two men are killed, and 22 wounded, 15 of which slightly; among the latter, Lieut. Anker, of the Artillery. ii ATARcrr 21, 9 30 A.M. " The Commander of Fredericia announces that the bombardment continued yesterday throughout the whola of the day. The six batteries of the enemy fired about 1,000 shots. The bombardment was continued at intervals during the night. One officer and 19 men have been taken to the hospital.° GREECE. A letter, dated AthenP, March 10, says :-- "There has been almost a dearth of news during the last week. One act of the Assembly, however, I feel certain, will interest your readers, and that is, it has adopted universal suffrage for the munici pal elections, the office of mayor included. " In consequence of the dismissal of the Minis• tern of War and Justice, Bulgaria proposed to the King three appointmente, which his Majesty sanctioned, viz., Major Trignetaz, of the Artillery, to the War-office; Petzinos, a provincial advocate, to that of Justice ; and Rontiris, also a provincial advocate, to the Marine. These nominations have been very unsatisfactory, not only to the Assembly, but also the general public. It must be said, however, that the ill favour which these appointments have met is caused as much by the action of the Opposition as by M. Bulgaria himself, who has certainly endea voured to bring about a more satisfactory state of things. He addressed his chief opponents; they, however, individually viola for the head petition, and consequently they do not act well together, and, in fact, should M. Bulgaria retire, King George will run the risk of being without a Ministry capable of carrying on. " The King has already commenced to speak the Hellenic language. " Preparations are going forward for the posses sion of the Seven Islands. The destruction of the forts is now probably nearly completed. The dismantlement of Fort Neuf is completed, and the entire demolishment of Vido and Fort Abraam will soon be Accomplished. The citadel will remain. Two British ships of war are in readiness to tran sport the 6th Regiment to Jamaica. The treaty, however, has not arrived at the Piraeus yet. In the Assembly Panlos Colocotronis, the natural and adopted son of the famous Colocotronis of Pelopen nesus, proposed that the forts should be rebuilt; a lengthened debate took place on this subject. "The Carnival has been a very gay one this year; it has, however, passed in an orderly way. " For the new issue of 2,000 Hellenio bank shares recently granted by the law, 5,059 applica tions have been made. Two-thirds of the last issue will be allotted the tirst shareholders, and one-third to recent applicants. " On account of the disturbances and intrigues caused by the students of the University, I am in formed that eight professors have resigned. This is most unsatisfactory, and it is really high time that some measures were taken to enforce the respect due to public order. " The father of M. Blondoff, the Russian Minis ter, has died, a telegram to this effect having just come to hand. . "An English iron-clad frigate has just anchored at the Emus. " The 1.1',1c. , 1e of the King, Duke Frederick, eldw brother of King Christian IX., has arrived at thi. Pimp, find has been welcomed by his Majesty.' Amenities of the Bar. What are some of our learned friends about There was Mr. Carter the other day at Exeter! There was Mr. Pater still more recently in the city of London. Now we read, as will be seen below, about Mr. Smith of Melksham. In reference to Mr. Pater's escapade we find the following in to-day's law Ti mes : —l t i s not di ff i cult to say who was wrong in this. The discretion of counsel in cross-examination is very wide, and the Judge is often sorely perplexed to discover the pre cise point at which counsel can he considered as having trespassed beyond the limits of the license permitted to him. That there is a limit will not he disputed by the most zealous advocates for liberty of the forensic tongue. There is a point at which it becomes the duty of the Judge to interpose his authority to prohibit the abuse of the privileges of the advocate. The judge has a duty to perform in the protection of witnesses from mere bullying and browbeating, and from imputations not fairly founded on some facts on evidence in the case. Jurymen, less learned in the nice distinction bet ween the liberty and the licence of the bar, are apt to sympathise with a badgered witness, and to inter pose a remonstrance before the jadge sees fit to com plain. When a juryman thus protests the judge might well use the incident to recommend modera tion to the counsel, while explaining to the jury the powers with which the law has invested him, and counsel, if he is prudent, will catch the hint that he is not serving his client when offend ing the jury. But unless counsel is clearly trespassing beyond his privilege, the Judge has no right to rebuke, although he may advise, him. Only those who witnessed the scene, and observed the manner as well as the matter of the cross-examination in question, can form a fair judgment whether it called for the interference with which it was visited. if it did so, Mr. Pater was wholly wrong throughout ; but if he was not pass ing the limits of his licence as an advocate, and the juryman and Mr. Payne were wrong in their cen sure, it appears to us that Mr. Pater erred in the manner of dealing with the complaint. Nothing justifies abuse of the Judge; not because he may never deserve it, but because he is the Court, the embodied law, and to attack him is to assail the Crown he represents. Nor is it ever necessary to the object of the advocate that he should do so; for a manly and dignified assertion of his right, and submission with a firm but temperate protest, will accomplish all that could be done by intemperate abuse. Mr. Pater's proper course was quite plain ; he should have called for a formal decision whether the question he was putting was admissible or not. If decided against him, he should have yielded and refrained. From this point the case is clear. The judge is bound to vindicate his authority and the dignity of the court. He must forbid the prohibited conduct, and enforce that prohibition. If Mr. Pater persisted, or if he indulged in anything like personal abuse of the Judge, it was clearly a contempt, which the judge was justified in visiting with punishment. What that punishment ought to be is a moot point. Some say commitment, others argue for fine. Baron Bramwell, at Exeter, threa tened to turn the offending counsel out of the court. The Common Sergeant adjourned the court. We believe that the law empowers a judge to fine and imprison, both or either. Mr. Payne preferred a fine, and his judgment was approved by Mr. Bod kin. The threat of an appeal to the Home Secre tary is not very formidable. Sir George Grey is not likely to turn a favourable ear to complaints against a judge for vindicating the authority of the court. He will probably 100 of opinion that the license of counsel may admit of some restraint without much danger to the public welfare. Having so often ex pressed in these columns the strongest disapproval of attacks upon the bench by the bar, we cannot but view with complacency any measure within the scope of his authority adopted by a judge to enforce the respect that is due to the court. We trust that, upon reflection, Mr. Pater will think so too, and that he will make the only amends in his power by a frank and full apology. It is due to the court he bas insulted, but it is still more due to himself and to the profession whose robes he wears. We also read in the Western Gazette the follow ing about Mr. Smith, of Melksham :—The other day, at the Town Hall, Melksham, an arbitration case (which had been referred from the last sitting of the Melksham County Court, held before the Judge, Mr. C. F. D. Caillard) came on for hearing before Mr. John Graham Foley, the ap pointed arbitrator. Mr. Bartrum, solicitor, of Bath, ap peared for the plaintiff, and Mr. A. B. Smith, of Melksham, for the defendant. Mr. Bartrum, in opening the case, was remarking upon the main points which he said he and his friend would have to keep in view, when Mr. Smith ex claimed—Fray don't call me your friend. I should be sorry to be mixed up with such scamps. Mr. Bartrum—l am determined not to be bullied in this manner. I have never had such a term applied to me before, and I refuse to proceed with the case until Mr. Smith knows how to conduct himself with decency. Mr. Smith—Go on, go on Mr. Bartrum (excitedly)—l'll not go on, sir, till you know how to behave yourself. The arbitrator interfered, and the case was proceeded with till it came to Mr. Smith's reply, when he drew attention to an item in the set-off of fifteen pounds for a cow, which he said had been stolen from the defendant's premises under the most heartless circumstances. Mr. Bartrum contended that Mr. -mith nal asked a certain question twice over. Mr. Smith—You are telling an untruth, and you know it. There is not a member of my profession would give that for your word (snapping his fingers towards Mr. B.) Mr. Bartrum—l venture to say the judge would not tolerate such conduct, and 1 don't think it ought to be tolerated here. It is disrespectful to you, Mr, Arbitrator. Mr. Smith—l'll let the judge know all about it. His hoDour shall know it. Mr. Bartrum—l hope the reporters will pi.lt this all down. Mr, Smi h—l don't care what the reporters put down; let them put it down if they like. give them some more to put down. The Arbitrator—Well, gentlemen, if this is continued I shall leave. Mr. Bar crum—l hope you take notice that I have given Mr. Smith no offence whatever to call forth this display of temper ; and I tell hira that his indecent conduct this day shall form a subject of more public inquiry elsewhere. When Mr. Bartrum came to his reply, in the middle of his address, Mr. Smith rose impatiently, seized his blue bag and his hat, and addressing the arbitrator said—lf you intend stopping here any longer I shan't; I have been here six hours, and had enough of it ; I've en engagement, and must gc. No doubt Mr. Bartrum will arouse you as much in my absence as in my presence. Exit Mr. Smith. The ease was afterwards adjourned sine die. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS VOR THE ENSUING WEEK.—Wednesday—Society of Arts, at 8: " Artificial Light and Materials used for Lighting," ;qr. Paul; Microscopical, st 8; Chemical, at 8; Anniversary • Friday—Arebteological Institute, at 4; Philological, at 8, —4thenown. CONSERVATORIES OF THE CITY OF PARIS.—The City of Paris has formed in the Bois de Boulogne, near the Chateau de la Muette, a large establishment, where the legions of foreign plants are reared which deco • rate the squares and public walks of the capital. This establishment has now been considerably enlarged ; it occupies a surface of 44,000 square metres, and contains 24 conservatories and 3,000 hot beds, representing a glazed surface of 10,000 sq. metres. There is a vast hot-house, covering a space of 433 sq. m., and containing about 2,000 palm-trees and other large plants. One of the conserva tories, comprising 500 sc. metres, contains 250 arbores cent camelias, some of them 6 metres in height, and partly derived from the collection formed by the Empress Josephine at La Malmaison. In another conservatory there are about 300 varieties of camelias in pots, a collec tion of Eucalyptuses, and another of mimossas, about 3,000 plants in all. There are in other conservatories, contain ing 2,500 hibiscuses from China, 3,500 bananas, 12,000 be genies, &c. The conservatory reserved for the multiplica tion of plants is 200 square metres in surface ; it is warmed by 18 rows of hot-water pipes. There are always upwards of 20,000 cuttings here, which are renewed from 15 to 16 times in the courselof the year From this place the young plants are taken to another called the weaning conservatory, where they acquire sufficient vigour to be transferred to the others. There is an immense cellar, 1,500 square metres in surface, where a provision of 200,000 tubercles of come are kept during the winter. Fifty workmen are daily engaged in the various duties connected with these observatories, THE PROPOSED NEW COURTS OF JUSTICE. — The number of houses intenders to bo taken for the con centration and construction of the new courts of justice is 162, situated in that colony of courts in St. Clement Danes, between Yate's-court and Lower Serle's-place, and includ ing Clement's-lane, Plough-court, New-court, Old Bos • well•court, Robin Rood-court, Cromwell court, and other dilapidated and closely-confined localities, the houses con taining from two to twenty rooms, and being generally badly drained. The estimated number of persons to be displaced is 210, and the promoters state that no provision i , as been made to remedy the inconvenience, if any, likely to arise from such displacement. A NICE NAME TO OPEN A PEW-DOOR WITH, its they say in Ireland.—The name here referred to b.,ing that of Emil Schlagintweit, whose two guinea book on ,Buddhism is anuoilnced by Messrs. Ttubuer, r A r) Tonal Orobt HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, March n 5, Her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal ness the Princess of Wales, drove out Yes ter'. afternoon, attended by Lord Char!es Fitzroy. , The Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur r ode °' horseback. f c! Her Majesty the Queen, his Majesty the - 5 ) 13 ° 0 the Belgians, their Royal Highnesses the Pr l° , and Princess of Wales, their Royal Hig ll° ,:;,, Princess Helena, Princess Loaise, Prince A rl 'i t , and Princess Beatrice, and the Ladies and G el3l men in Waiting, attended Divine service this 113°1:, ing in the private chapel. The Hon. and Veay Rev. the Dean of Wi n to officiated and administered the sacrament of Holy Communion. The Rev. H. Ellison preached the sermon. - Their Royal Hi.: hnesses the Prince and of Wales do not leave Windsor Castle until We dl3e 'ty next, when they come to Marlborough House, and °ll following day go to Sandringham for the holidays. ti e Their Excellencies the Ambassador of F ra t .' „. and the Italian Minister have left town on a visit to count and Viscountess Palmerston, at Broadland s Hants. The Earl and Countess of Wilton's 'OY,: Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, wilt separate at t he of the week. 0 1 The EArl and Countess of Shaftesbury ando Ladies Ashley, with Lord and Lady Harriet Ashley , proceeded to Broadlands, Hhnts, on a visit to VisCou 4S Viscountess Palmerston. CRYSTAL PALACE. The fine weather, combi ne d w i t h an attre ftifl programme and increased railway facilities, bre ll g o together an immense numb e r of v i s itors, /1 0 , amused themselves by strolling abO u t the ple°Bllo grounds, sailing on the lake, inspecting the ve ri ° courts and the Victoria Cross Gallery, eentai olol l , upwards of 50 pictures painted by Mr. W' ffi t Desanges, which will be remov e d i mme di a tely P I Easter, the collection having been parch •sed gentleman at Leeds, so that an early visit m lll4 paid by those who wish to have the opportuoi t io viewing these interesting pictures, illustrating or acts of heroism which won for the principal ob tli to ters the distinguished reward of the Victoria C o ! presented by her Majesty. At an early hou r ,a floor of the groat transept and the first tier of leries opposite the orchestra were densely crow il d and long before the commencement of the c° l3 the reserved seats were completely filled. Th' e° o , cert, which was very ably conducted by Mr. go d was opened by an organ performance by Mr. b l ; s , Coward, consisting of selections from Mendelss 7o i, Spohr, Costa, Mozart, and Handel. This o ° o l lowed by selections from Handel, Mendelss v o il Rossini, and Cost a , admirably pl a yed by the b 5.01 of the Coldstream Guards, under the diree t Y of Mr. A. F. G o df re y—th e " D ea d Mard ' o " Saul," and the chorus and march " Se e 0 conquering hero comes," being honoured wit ij i t! encore. The Old Hundredth Psalm, in whic h I v visitors cordially joined, having been sting' ire o , " Quis est homo" Wall given by Miss Cecilia St brook and Miss Whytock. Mr. Sims Reeire s i presenting himself rece i ve d a h ear ty an d eor welcome, but was for soma minutes unable to teed in consequence of the interruption caused " 0 large number of the audience on the ground who called upon him t o "c o m e f orwar d"—a r e4 "o with which he eventually compli e d. considefeb4ol the annoyance of the occupiers of the rese r t o seats. On advancing to the front row ° ! . .0 orchestra he was loudly cheered by the in front of him, and then in his usual style of t o cellence gave the recitative and air frogi " Messiah," " Comfort ye my people." 3 1 e -ity 4 Rudersdorff, who declined to "come f or ward Mr. Sims Reeves had done, was imperfectly b e ,S owing to the noise occasioned by the movernee` i the crowd and the conversation that was O ff o r on. Those who were in her immediate neigb b° l o hood, however, were highly gratified by the 13 in whick she sang the aria, " luflammati ll e accensus." Mr. Patey, in the aria, t iff peccatis," and Mr. Weiss, in the refit lei and air from the "Messiah," "Behold, „,"' s , e os you a mystery," were loudly cheered. Tne P I O ing Hymn was next sung by the assembly. fio , was followed by the recitative and air " Ye people, rend your hearts" (:fR' Reeves); duet, from "Israel in Egypt," " Th e y en is a man of war" (Mr. Weiss and Mr. Patel) ; 1 0 " I will extol thee, 0 Lord (Madame Ruder f ld who, to the great delight of the majority ° o ol audience, voluntarily took her station in th e oo d row ; air from " Israel in Egypt, The enterei fl op I will pursue" (Mr. Sims Reeves) ; and the , a ir t 0! " Samson," " Let the bright Seraphim" 016A0 01) Rudersdorff. with an admirable trumpet ob l ° io by Mr. Harper.) The Prayer from " Al°9 Egitto" was given by the chorus, the united b o f and the grand organ ; and the vocal part Of ° to ot' tertainment terminated with the National A tlt . os o' in which the audience joined with great en tn 11131 (1 10 Several pieces were then played by the ba.ncl ° o l Coldstream Guards, and Mr. Coward conclud e dd concert by performing another excellent on the organ. The number of visitors was aver 53,000.. Naval and Military Intelligence. THE NAVY. 0 0°1 Captain Sherard Osborn has been appoiatod to till) mand of the Royal Sovereign cupola ship. On Tuesday and Wednesday some firing- £t B r ") plates took place at Portsmouth, French as well as manufactured plates being under trial. Tuesday's . 1.14 1 , confined to the common 95cwt smooth-bore 8-in ch with solid cast-iron shot and a 16ib charge of powder' ei g result of this day's firing, which was merely to class tO la plates in their order of merit according to the •Ac i tf td / regulations, was as follows :-1, a 6-inch plate from Beardmore, of Glasgow, a sample plate, hammered 60 , 12 inches, and finished under the rollers to six ; 2, t i tl ) ; plate from Messrs. Petin, Gaudet, and Co., Franc e i - 6 10 .1 3, two 6-inch plates from the Millwall Ironworks nr 1 7,,i0, 7 bugeling Company, for the Bellerophon. rolled; 4, a OP r plate; from Messrs. Beale, of Parkgate Works, Shetgepilra the Pa as, rolled ; and 5, a 41- inch plate from M08 0 ; 4 91,', Gauclet,. and Co., France, rolled. On Wednesday fr of f inch gun, smooth-byre, commonly termed the 100' e i 0 5 / i Armstrong, was teste d against the plates with s tee ,o ft. The first shot was fired with a charge of 301 b. of pogt'o directed against one of tl:e Millwall 6-inch plates et i do s isl o and where it had received no shots fro m the 8-inch Pfifi the previous day's firing. This shot was made bf o e 03 4 and Son, Sheffield. It struck the plate 12 inches lower eage, and stopped, partially buried in the e i nife t : and partially in the plate, We outer surface of the sh ° ,,ff. 4 not more than helf an inch outside the plate's Ote r 4 0 0 A second steel shot, manufactured by John BrOW' l pad °to of Sheffield, was next sent against the plate, and a t t r o pP et the same end. It also remained : partially buried i' l lie Ol i o and partially in the shils'A side. In this instanc e to. 00 - 15 00 su rface of the shot and the plate were fi ash. In b ° br t the whole of the plate's back near the shot- hole ° s o d t o , up. Penetration into the b•bjp was not !ffe,ctedfoodeit plates had apparently done th :lir duty in repelling e st o ftlt ,g gerous missiles as steel spherics shote yen at the e° own destruction. On inspecting' the inside of che ss fotr io damage done to the side at the b.aak o f t he plate 11 / 1 4it' 1 to be very serious. A space Ikiatt. length by °of) breadth was started, and bulged inwards 0 1 og, 130 41 0 h inches ; the whole was fearfully .shake n ' 6 oo ll43 l4 much was it shaken that probably ot.'° me 16jt'tD0 and certainly two more, would have t. sur f 1- "" te ea z s 4(t of the ship's side with its armour plate I. ,rstra t ger- 1.0 , trigate's gundeck. A steel shot was nea t fired.: an d P er i Beardmore's plate. It struck the plate's cents v ete f jetted 2 inches from the plate's outer surface. _, de of s d nc cracks, nor was any damage done to the 17; 1 . 0 ,0 6 4 e ship at the plate's back. A shot was next sent eo . : o # plate of the Millwall Company, but it flattenedYY.. ing the plate, projected 2 inches, and its furtnue:9'.2ll';'oo was stopped. This finished the practice with l o giea 1 I gun, and a closing shot was fired at the 004 plate from the S inch gun. This shot st uck outer surface being 4 inches outside the plates. -it No C13131'.- IC V deep cracks on the plate's lower edge. caused to the ship's side by this shot, as far to coo ascertained from the gatdeck.______„ vol T H E FRENCH TRANSLATOR. A ND COgoLOOO OF Porchat, died a short time